When a Tick Bite Becomes Something More
By Office of Communications & Marketing | Aug 14, 2026
Ticks are an increasingly familiar concern in New York, but some of the illnesses
they carry remain unfamiliar. Slate recently spoke with Downstate infectious disease
expert Michael Augenbraun, M.D., for a story examining Bourbon virus, a rare tick-borne illness, and what its emergence
may mean for people and pets.
Dr. Augenbraun provides a perspective on the risks posed by tick-borne disease, and the questions clinicians and researchers continue to confront as these illnesses appear in new places.
It is a timely reminder that the tiny pests we encounter outdoors can raise much larger questions about infectious disease, prevention, and public awareness.
Tags: Infectious Diseases